KarissA Moreno, MA
Executive DirectorKarissa joined the Center as the executive director in 2018, and in 2020 she was recognized as a nonprofit leader by the
North Bay Business Journal. Karissa holds a BA in cultural anthropology from UC Santa Barbara and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago. Her scholarship advocating for the rights of marginalized populations has won national recognition. Karissa has two decades of nonprofit management experience, and she worked for ten years at federally qualified health centers across the state. She is a leader in designing and implementing evidence-based practices and programs that address the health disparities and structural inequities in vulnerable populations, including community health worker (CHW) training, clinical integration, and workforce development. Additionally, Karissa has championed innovative, upstream well-care at community health clinics across the state, and she has led community-based advocacy and empowerment programs both nationally and internationally. In addition to providing strategic and fiscal oversight for the organization and collaborating with key stakeholders and partners to create systems and policy changes that advance health and well-being for all, Karissa works "boots on the ground" – serving as the Center's lead CHW instructor. She is a firm believer in an organizational culture that celebrates each team member for their incredible work – regardless of rank, title, or credentials – and she champions a flattened hierarchy and radical pay equity. Outside of work, you can find Karissa hiking, gardening, cooking, painting, dancing, singing (although not quite in tune), and playing with her two adorable fur babies.